The Chicago Bears will need to be at their best, Sunday Sept 20, as they host last year’s Super Bowl Champs the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh has won the past three meetings but haven’t met since the 2005 NFL season. NFL oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Steelers as -3 point road favs over the Bears with the over/under set at 37.5 points. Be sure to get your Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 2 Picks in now at Sportsbook.com
The Steelers (1-0) beat Tennessee 13-10 at home. After a sluggish start, QB Ben Roethlisberger found his form as the game progressed, he finished with 363 passing yards, the third-highest total of his six-year NFL career, and completed 16 of 18 throws in the fourth quarter and overtime. RB Willie Parker had 13 carries for 19 yards, while WR Santonio Holmes made nine catches for 131 yards with one TD. Steelers S Troy Polamalu left the game late in the first half with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee and didn't return. Pittsburgh was held to just 36 rushing yards and a 1.6 yard-per-carry average. Their biggest weakness last season appears to be its biggest weakness this year. The unit was overmatched at times against Tennessee and must improve if QB Ben Roethlisberger and RB Willie Parker are to stay healthy. The Steelers offense generated 19 first downs, one rushing and 18 passing and made 4 of 14 third down conversions. When Roethlisberger has a 100-plus passer rating, the Steelers are 29-2 (including the playoffs). Since 2007, Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 87 sacks
The Bears (0-1) lost to Green Bay 15-21 on the road. QB Jay Cutler threw four interceptions in his debut with the Bears after making 17 of 36 passes for 277 yards with a TD. The pressure is on Cutler in Chicago to show he can perform and lead. RB Matt Forte had 25 carries for 55 yards, while WR Devin Hester had four catches for 90 yards with a TD. Expectations are high for the second-year RB Matt Forte after he ran for 1,711 total yards in his rookie season. Forte struggled against the Packers and his job gets no easier against the Steelers, who have one of the league's best rushing defenses. Linebackers Brian Urlacher (wrist) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) were among the Bears unable to finish the game due to injury. The Bears offense generated 18 first downs, four rushing and 12 passing and made 4 of 15 third down conversions.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Bears are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 250 total yards in their previous game.
- Bears are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
- Bears are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears
When: Sun, Sept 20, 2009 4:15 PM ET
Line: Sportsbook.com
Pick: Steelers -1
Point-Spreads.com Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 2 Picks
The Bottom Line: The Steelers are going to shut down the Bears running game and look for immense pressure on Jay Cutler to make mistakes. Be sure to get your Pittsburgh Steelers vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 2 Picks in now at Sportsbook.com get a 100% Deposit Bonus at Sportsbook.com, simply use promo code WIN100 and start winning today!
